The Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak ProjectThe Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak Project

The Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak Project

The Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak Project which was officially launched on 18 November 1991, is executed jointly by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the Sabah Forestry Department and the Sarawak Forestry Department with the collaboration of other research institutions and universities. The main objectives of the 10-year project are:-

to document and update the taxonomic status of all tree-species (at least 5m in height and 10cm in diameter) native to Sabah and Sarawak.

to publish 8 volumes (each containing 300-400 species) of a concise Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak within 10 years.

to upgrade Malaysian capability and expertise in plant taxonomic research, and the survey and documentation of tree diversity.

to develop and strengthen the management capability of herbaria and their related data bases in the 3 participating institutions.

In all, 36 local and 21 overseas botanists are involved in the preparation of manuscripts of the estimated 109 families which comprise 3,000 tree species. For the first 5 years, the project was jointly funded by the Malaysian Government, the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) of United Kingdom, and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO).

The Tree Flora is intended for use by botanists, ecologists, foresters and other non-specialist readers interested in obtaining information on the correct scientific and vernacular names, characteristic botanical features, geographical distribution, and habitat preference of the tree species native and naturalized in Sabah and Sarawak.

Three volumes of the Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak have so far been published.